Heddle frame



r M i936- J. .JfKAUFMANN n 2%?31 HEDDLE FRAME Filed Dec. 19, 1935 2Sheets-Sheet 1 L@ i Eli/12 6 WF@ mi M, 1936;.v

J. J. KAUFMANN HEDDLE FRAME Filed Deo. 19, 1933 2 sheets-sheet 2Patented Apr. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE HEDDLE FRAMEApplication December 19, 1933, Serial No. 703,064 17 Claims. (Cl.139-92) My invention relates to heddle frames for looms, and relatesmore particularly to a novel construction and arrangement of such heddleframes.

The principal object `of the present invention is to provide a heddleframe which is particularly adaptable for Weaving heavy materials suchas canvas and the like, but which, if desired, may be used for otherkinds of weaving.

A further object of my invention is to provide a heddle frame which Willbe relatively light, yet substantial and durable in its construction.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved means forsupporting the heddle barsl in the frame in such manner that they willbe securely held in the proper positions when the frame is in use, yetmay be readily and expeditiously removed from the frame should occasionrequire.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved means forbracing and spacing the top and bottom rails of the frame intermediatetheir ends, so that the heddle supporting bars will at all times bemaintained in proper parallelism, to the end that the heddles will befreely movable and will not bind thereon.

A further object of my invention is to provide in a heddle frameimproved and simpliiied, yet durable and efcient, means for attachingthe actuating straps to the frame.

Thenature and characteristic features of my invention Will be morereadily understood from the following description, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a heddle frame embodying the mainfeatulres of my present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof, enlarged, taken approximately onthe line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section thereof, enlarged, taken approximately onthe line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, enlarged, of a bracket for mounting theheddle bars in the frame, thisv Ybracket being of the type of thosewhich are mounted on the top and bottom rails adjacent the end struts ofthe frame.

Fig. 5 isa similar perspective View, enlarged' of another form ofbracket, of the type of those which are mounted on the top and bottomrails intermediate the ends thereof, these brackets being vadapted tohave a brace or spacing device used in connection therewith;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section, enlarged, taken approximately on theline 6 6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a horizontal section, enlarged, taken approximately on ytheline 'I-y-l of Fig. l; and

Fig. 8 is a vertical section, enlarged, taken approximately on the `line8--8 of Fig. 1.

It will, of course, be understood that the description and drawingsherein contained are i1- lustrative merely, and that various changes andmodifications may be -made in the structure disclosed without departingfrom the spirit of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, in the particular embodiment of my inventiontherein shown, the frame proper comprises horizontal top and bottomrails It, connected at their ends by vertical side struts. II. The topand bottom rails I0 are preferably made of wood, which may be of uniformcross-section throughout its length. The side struts II are alsopreferably made of wood, which also may be of uniform cross-sectionthroughout its length. The top and bottom rails may be united to theside struts at the corners by mortise and tenon joints.

Each of the top and bottom rails I0 is preferably of a T-shapedcross-section, thereby providing therein a. web portion IZ and a flangeportion I3.

l'The web portion I2 is of such thickness that certain of the parts,which will be hereinafter referred to, may readily extend through thetop and bottom rails Without materially weakening the structure, andthis thickened web portion also permits certain of the parts to bereadily attached thereto by mea-ns of wood screws, or the like.

Each of the top and bottom rails is provided with U-bolts I Il, the legportions of which eX- tend therethrough and have retaining nuts I5 ontheir inner ends bearing in each instance against the inner face of theweb portion I2 o f the rail. The U-bolts I4 providemeans for attaching'the actuating straps (not shown) to the frame.

The heddles It may be of any preferred'construction, each having theusual central warp eye I1I, and mortises I8 at its ends for mounting theheddle upon vthe supporting bars I9. The heddles It are preferablyprovided in two sets, and the supporting bars I9 therefor are positionedon each side of the web portion I2 of the top or bottom rail, as thecase may be, upon which the bar is supported.

At each end of each rail there is provided .a bracket member 20, boltedor otherwise secured to the inner face of the web portion I2 of the railIll. This bracket member 2U serves to support, on Veach side of the webportion of the rail, a member 2 I, one end of which is positioned in arecess in the bracket member 29, and secured therein by means of anintegral rivet shank 22 extending through an aperture 23 in said bracketEil. The bracket member 20, and certain of its associated parts, areshown in detached perspective in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

-Each of the members 2l which extends from a bracket member 20 along theface of the web portion IZ is provided with a recess 24, in which theheddle supporting bar I9 is positioned. A latch 25 is pivotally securedby means of a screw 26 to the free end of the recessed member 2|, theother end of the latch 25 normally extending into a recess 21 providedbetween one surface of the member 2l and the overhanging lip 28 of thebracket member 29. The latch 25 is also provided with a slot 29 forengagement by a suitable tool, whereby said latch 25 may be turned tothe open or to the locking position as desired. (See Fig. 5.)

g A similar bracket member 30 is bolted to the inner face of each of thetop and bottom rails I0, intermediate the ends thereof. This bracketmember 39 and certain of its associated parts are shown in detachedperspective in Fig, 5 of the drawings. The construction and arrangementof the bracket member 30 are substantially the same as those of thebracket member 20, and likewise said bracket member 3l! carries members2 I, which extend along the side faces of the web portions of the topand bottom rails, for the support of the heddle bars intermediate theirends. Likewise, each of the recessed members 2| carried by the bracket3D is provided with a latch 25 for retaining the heddle supporting barwithin the recess 24.

Each of the bracket members 30 is also pro-` vided with a central,vertically extending aperture 3|. A tie bolt 32 extends through the topand bottom rails, passing through the apertures of the bracket members30. The tie bolt 32 is provided on one end with a headed portion 33 andon the other end with a threaded portion 34, which is screwed into aplate 35 mounted on the bottom face of the flange portion I3 of thelower rail. A tube 36 is mounted on the tie bolt 32, having aring endportions which bear against the bracket members 39. The tube 36 is of aproper length to suitably space the top and bottom rails, this spacingbeing maintained constant by the tension of the tie bolt 32. The tiebolt and tube arrangement not only serves to space the top and bottomrails, but also acts as an effectual brace of the frame intermediate itsends.

The heddle supporting bars I9 are of such length as to terminate at theinner surfaces of the side struts II of the frame, abutting against thesame and thereby being ixedly positioned against longitudinal movementwithin the recessed members 2I by means of which they are supported inthe frame.

It will be noted that the heddles on either side of the frame may bereadily removed therefrom in a group when desired, by turning the latchmembers 25 by means of a suitable tool, such as a screw driver or thelike, inserted in the slot 29. The heddle supporting bars may then bereadily removed from the recesses in the members 2I in which they arenormally positioned, without any necessity of sliding the samelongitudinally to release them from the frame.

The use of the T-shaped top and bottom rails, with the heddle supportingbars positioned on each side of the web portions thereof, permits thelargest possible opening of the shed Without unduly increasing theoverall height of the frame.

The top and bottom rails, being made of wood, provide a certain desiredcharacteristic of flexibility, and at the same time the requisite degreeof strength. The relatively thick web portions I2, provided in saidrails, permit the leg portions of the U-bolts I4, and also the tie bolt32, to eX- tend entirely therethrough, and this without materiallyweakening the structure.

The top and bottom rails, as well as the side struts, being of uniformcross-section throughout their respective lengths, may be economicallymade by suitable woodworking machinery.

A heddle frame constructed as aforesaid will be found to be exceedinglyuseful for weaving heavy fabrics, although it will be understood thatmany of the features thereof may be utilized to advantage in heddleframes which are adapted for weaving finer fabrics.

I claim:

1. Ina heddle frame having top and bottom rails, means for bracing andspacing said top and bottom rails intermediate their ends comprising atie bolt extending through said top and bottom rails, and a tubesurrounding the central portion of the tie bolt and interposed betweenthe rails.

2. In a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, means for bracing andspacing said top and bottom rails intermediate their ends comprising atie bolt extending through said top and bottom rails, members mounted onthe inner faces of the top and botom rails, and a tube surrounding thecentral portion of the tie bolt and having its ends bearing against themembers which are mounted on the inner faces of the rails.

3. In a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, means fo-r bracing andspacing said top` and bottom rails intermediate their ends comprising atie bolt extending through said top and bottom rails, members mounted onthe inner faces of the top and bottom rails, and a tube surrounding thecentral portion of the tie bolt and having its ends flared and bearingagainst the members which are mounted on the inner faces of the rails.

4. In a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, means for bracing andspacing said top and bottom rails intermediate their .ends comprising atie bolt extending through said top and bottom rails, said tie bolthaving a threaded portion at one end, a member mounted on the outer faceof one of said rails into which the threaded end of the bolt isscrewed', members mounted on the inner faces of the topy and bottomrails, and a tube l surrounding the central portion of the tie bolt andhaving its ends flared and bearing against the members which are mountedon the inner faces of the rails.

5. In a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, means for bracing andspacing said top and bottom rails intermediate their ends comprising atie bolt extending through said top and bottom rails, said tie bolthaving a headed portion at one end and a threaded portion at the otherend, a member mounted on the outer face of one of said rails into whichthe threaded end of the bolt is screwed, members mounted on the innerfaces of the top and bottom rails, and a tube surrounding the centralportion of the tie bolt and having its ends ared and bearing against themembers which are mounted on the inner faces of the rails.

6. In a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, means for bracing andspacing said top and bottomy rails intermediate their ends comprising atie bolt extendingY through said top and bottom rails, said tie bolthaving a threaded portion `at one end, a member mounted on the outerface ofone of said rails into which the threaded end of the bolt isscrewed, and a tube surround-l ing thecentral portion of the tie boltand interposed between the rails.

7. In a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, means for bracing andspacing said top and bottom rails intermediate their ends comprising atie bolt extending through said top and bottom rails, said tie bolthaving a headed portion at one end and a threaded portion at the otherend, a member mounted on the outer face of one of said rails into whichthe threaded end of the bolt is screwed, and a tube surrounding thecentral portion of the tie bolt and interposed between the rails.

8. In a heddle frame having top and bottom rails of T-shapedcross-section, and having heddle supporting bars positioned on each sideof the web portion of each of the top and bottom rails, the means forsupporting the heddle bars comprising members extending adjacent theside faces of the web portions o-f the rails, said heddle bar supportingmembers being recessed to receive the heddle bars, and a retaining latchcarried by each of said members, said latches normally retaining th-eheddle bars in the recesses but being adapted to be moved to an openposition to permit said heddle bars to be removed from said supportingmembers.

9. In a heddle frame having top and bottom rails of T-shapedcross-section, and having heddle supporting bars positioned on each sideof the web portion of each of the top and bottom rails, the means forsupporting the heddle bars comprising members extending adjacent theside faces of the web portions of the rails, said heddle bar supportingmembers being recessed to receive the heddle bars, and a retaining latchpivotally connected to each of said members, said latches normallyretaining the heddle bars in the recesses but being adapted to be swungto an open position to permit said heddle bars to be removed from saidsupporting members.

10. In a heddle frame having topand bottom rails of T-shapedcross-section, and having heddle supporting bars positioned on each sideof the web portion of each of the topand bottom rails, the means forsupporting the heddle bars comprising bracket members mounted on theinner faces of said web portions of said top and bottom rails, heddlebar supporting members carried by said bracket members and extendingadjacent theside faces of the web portions of the rails, said heddle barvsupporting lmembers being recessed to receive the heddle bars, and aretaining latch carried by each of said members, said latches normallyretaining the heddle bars in the recesses but being adapted to be movedto an open position to permit said heddle bars to be removed from saidsupporting members.

11. In a heddle frame having top and bottom rails of T-shapedcross-section, and having heddle supporting bars positioned on each sideof the Web portion of each of the top and bottom rails, the means forsupporting the heddle bars comprising bracket members mounted on theinner faces of said web portions of said top and bottom rails, heddlebar supporting members carried by said bracket members and extendingadjacent the side faces of the web portions. of the rails, said heddlebar supporting members being recessedv to receive the heddle bars, and aretaining latch pivotally connected to each of said members, said.latches normally*I retaining the heddle bars in the recesses but beingadapted to be swung to an open position to permit said heddle bars to beremoved from said supporting members.

12. In a heddle frame comprising top and bottom rails of T-shapedcross-section and side struts secured to the ends of said top and,bottom rails, the side struts being of the same width as the flangeportion of each of the top and bottom rails, heddle supporting bars, andrecessed members for supporting the heddle bars on each side of the Webportion of each of the top` and bottom rails, said heddle supportingbars terminating at the inner faces of the side struts of the frame andhaving their ends abutting against the same.

13. In a heddle frame comprising top and bottom rails of T-shapedcross-section and side struts secured to the ends of said topand bottomrails, the side struts being of the same width as the flange portion ofeach of the top and bottom rails, and heddle supporting bars positionedon each side of the Web portion of each of the top and bottom rails,said heddle supporting bars terminating at the inner faces of the sidestruts of the frame and having their ends abutting against the same.

14. In a heddle frame comprising top and bottom rails of T-shapedcross-section and side struts secured to the ends of said top and bottomrails, the side struts being of the same width as the flange portion ofeach of the top and bottom rails, heddle supporting bars, means forsupporting the same on each side of the web portion of each of the topand bottom rails, said heddle supporting bars terminating at the innerfaces of the side struts of the frame and abutting against the same, andretaining means for holding the heddle bars in the supporting means,ysaid retaining means being movable to positions to permit the heddlebars to be freely removed from the supporting means.

l5. In a heddle frame comprising top and bottom rails of T-shapedcross-section and side struts secured to the ends of said top and bottomrails, the side struts being of the same width as the flange portion ofeach of the top and bottom rails, heddle supporting bars, recessedmembers for supporting the same on each side of the web portion of eachof the top and bottom rails, said heddle supporting bars terminating atthe inner faces of the side struts of the frame and abutting against thesame, and latches for holding the heddle bars in the recessed members,said latches being movable to positions to permit the heddle bars to befreely removed from the recessed members.

16. In combination with a heddle frame having top and bottom rails andheddle supporting bars, a heddle bar support, said support including amember recessed toreceive a heddle bar, and a pivotally mounted heddlebar retaining latch, said latch normally retaining the heddle bar in therecess but being adapted to be swung to an open position to permit saidheddle bar to' be removed from the recessed member, said recessed memberbeing provided with a groove for the reception of an end portion of saidlatch.

17. In combination with a heddle frame having top and bottom rails andheddle supporting bars, a heddle bar support, said support including amember recessed to receive a heddle bar, said recess opening toward oneof the flat faces of the heddle frame, a heddle bar retaining latchpivot-` ally mounted at one end, the axis of said pivotal mounting beingtransverse to the fiat faces of the be swung inl a plane parallel to theflat faces of the frame to an open position to permit said.

heddle bar to be removed from the recessed member, said recessed memberbeing provided with a groove for the reception of the free end portion 5of said latch.

JOHN JACOB KAUFMANN.

